Cycling, Amsterdam

There are many cyclists in Amsterdam and most have a very special way of cicling. They only advice to pedestrian ringing the bell and expect everyone to deviate from its path, but rarely stop. Always try to walk on the sidewalk for pedestrians and pay attention when crossing the streets as the trams and cyclists seem to come from everywhere.

Hay muchos ciclistas en Ámsterdam y la mayoría tienen una forma muy especial de andar. Ellos únicamente se anuncian con sus campanas y esperan que todos se aparten de su camino, pero pocas veces se detienen. Procura siempre caminar en la acera para peatones y presta mucha atención al cruzar las calles pues los tranvías y ciclistas parecen venir de todos lados.

Always aware of bikers while you walk, don't walk on their path. Especially when you cross the streets look both sides. So many bikes and some don't respect to the signals... I didn't bike there but in my opinion biking is a little bit hectic looking... If you are not an experienced biker i do not recommend.

The main problem of course is: I keep bumping into things - lamposts, trees, other people, THUNK, such is life,..........but bollards are the worst!!!

I'd rather fall into the canal as that would cause far less tears ;)

You can see the bicyccles that are coming toward you. It is the ones that are behind you that you forget you need to share the space that can ruin your day when hit. Many, many bikes traverse around and are a common day lifestyle. There are marked lanes for the bikes to use and stay off of them. They have the right to bump you out. On the other hand, some are going so fast, they must scare themselves, let alone me when passing by. If some unexpected event occurs, they could not react fast enough to deter.

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Amsterdam is a very flat, compact city so cycling is a very popuular mode of transport, much more so than in most other cities.

The cyclists have right of way and, of course, their vehicles are silent - so they can come upon you without any warning.

Be aware at all times when walking that you must be alert for the cyclists. An accident will ruin your holiday.

When wandering around the streets, remember that there are 3 lanes: Vehicles, Pedesrians, AND cycles. Its easy to wander into the cycle lane, so spacious, but you'll get off pretty quickly too, cyclists won't make to much of an effort to get out of your way!

This is a guote from my guidebook about Amsterdam. I think I read it on the plane to Holland and it comes from the part about using bicycles: 'It is necessary ALWAYS to put a pedlock on the bike. Theft is a real plague in Amsterdam. You can often see parts of bicycles attached with chains to metal fences or poles...' The picture I present here could be a perfect illustration to this 'word of warning', as it was titled in the guidebook.

Further to my previous entry re bicycles. Don't stand in their way expecting them to try and avoid you. The local tradition is for pedestrians to get out of the way and allow the bike to make progress. I come from the UK where they aren't even allowed on to the pavement and it came as a complete shock to me. I spent the first couple of hours hot under the collar thinking that they had all taken some sort of contract out on my life. It wasn't until a near death experience that one of the riders explained the local practise. Take care!!